REVIEW FROM 1ST HALF OF SEASON

Well well well we have reached the all star break and minus the whipping the Braves got today You have to be feeling pretty good going into the break.The Braves just lost 2 of 3 to philly but lets break this series down. We got phillys big 3  while we threw Hanson,Beachy, and Lowe.. in 2 of those games Hanson and Beachy went pitch for pitch with Halladay and Lee. Philly missed Hudson & Jurrjens. Big difference facing Huddy and Jair then Brandon and Lowe.. So all in all Im not too upset about losing 2 of 3.

 Im glad to hear Craig Kimbrel made the all star team- he defiently is deserving. He leads mlb in saves and strike outs per nine innings. I really will be curious to see how he handles himself in middle of playoff race come september. I'll also keep close eye on Freddie Freeman. Considering we are only 3.5 games behind philly and Uggla and Heyward havent hit squat this season The Braves have to be very hopeful heading into the break. I will say it right now. If Uggla and Heyward and this offense starts to hit the Braves will be the team to be in the National League but if the offense keeps going the way its going then the Braves will have to settle for battling wild card race. This team has the talent offensively they just have to step up and reach there potential. i have faith Uggla will turn his season around second half. I feel more so then any player on the team offensively the weight is on his shoulders. I have been extremly dissappointed with Heyward thus far. He just doesnt seem to have gotten into any type of groove so far. The Braves cant be happy with his 9 HR and 22 rbi output so far.. shoot Eric Hinske has almost done that by himself.

 The bullpen has been amazing but I worry about there workout in the second half. The starters are great  the problem is they dont go the distance and it puts too much pressure on the bullpen every single night. I like Brandon Beachy but hes not given us more then 5-6 innings every start. The bullpen knows anytime he pitches they are gonna be worked hard. We cant keep using them 3-4 innings a night. They wont have arms come september.

I am really impressed with Nate Mcclouth defensively but offensively Im done with him. I wish the Braves would trade for a good leadoff hitter (Michael Bourne) who could get on and steal bases. Nate is hitting the ball hard but always at someone. Alex Gonzalez defense is as good as it gets but his hitting makes Heyward look like Albert Pujols. I miss Yunel Escobar. I still believe the Braves gave up on him too early. From whatIve read the Braves front office really likes Alex but to me he is a slacker and a whiner and cant hit.

I do belive this team will make playoffs- offensively if we dont step it up we will be lookin up at philly all year but if we get on roll offensively we will be the team to beat. I dont think the Braves can stand to stay pat. I believe getting Prado back will help. But what if Chippers leg doesnt improve? Why not take chance and make a good move to get a hitter or get a leadoff man. Schafer has potential but for the 2011 team I dont think he is the guy to lead for this team. I hope the Braves do something. They arent that far away from being " THE TEAM TO BEAT" but we have got to be agressive and not laid back. All in all Im very hopeful and excited for the second half of the season to begin.. Ill be at the game on friday... GO BRAVES!!

ALL- STARS -2011

I want to  send congrats to Brian Mccann on his 6th consecutive all star selection and first all star start. He is  very deserving. With the Braves weak offense the first part of the season Mccann has put the offensive load on  his back. He is on pace to set career highs in home runs and is hitting over .300. I truly admire him for the fact that catching is the hardest position in all off sports but also is even tougher in the humidity and hot temps in Atlanta summer. How he puts up such great numbers while playing in heat of Atlanta makes his stats even more amazing to me. Even though he has made all stars every year hes played I feel Brian Mccann is still one of the most underrated players in baseball.. When will people wake up and give him the credit he deserves- 6 all star selections, all star game mvp and good numbers every year.

 Congrats to Jair Jurrjens too. Last year he wasnt a contributor at all to this team- mostly due to injury and never being able to find a groove to get in. This year he has carried this pitching staff. With dissappointing years from Derrick Lowe and Tim Hudson- Jair has been a constant- posting the most wins ( 11) and lowest era (2.03) in mlb. His numbers are truly phenominal. This guy hasnt got any love from the media hes flown under the radar all season long. But as long as he keeps doing what hes doing Im sure he wont mind but hes  placing himself in the cy young contention..

 Every Braves fan knows how important Johnny Venters is to our team. He has come in during late innings and completely shut opponents down. Minus his bad outing vs Padres last  Sunday he has been unhittable.Its hard to think hes only in his second year in the majors and is already leaving batters shaking there head  after they face him. Have the Braves ever had a more dominant reliever? I am concerned that the Braves use him to much. They really need to save him for the stretch run. Its great to be able to run out there and know hes gonna put up zeros but we need him for August and September and October. Hes already pitched over 40 innings  this year- thats just too much work in the first half. Im glad that people around baseball recognize his great work and added him to all star team - hes most deserving... just ask the hitters who are facing him

 Chipper Jones is only hitting in the .250 which in ways can make you scratch your head as to his all star nod. Personally I dont think hes deserving but I respect the fact that hes playing on a bad leg. I  do realize that hes been hitting off the chats with runners on base and I do think that is all star mentioning. I think he gets this all star nod due to the fact that he may retire after the season. He is a good teammate, a good leader and well respected around baseball I think thats another reason why hes on the team this year- but from just looking at his numbers its my opinion there are others better served to be on the team. Id rather see Chipper take those days off and prepare for second half then be at the all star game- I hope he enjoys himself though. Hes been the face of the franchise since the early 90s. congrats to him

 I know some people feel Hanson and Kimbrel got snubbed and in a way I understand that. But Tommy  missed 2 weeks with injury but his numbers 9-4 and an era under 3.00 are more then deserving. Im sure hes dissappointed but he can use that motivation to continue to go strong in the second half. We need him to continue to do what hes doing. Kimbrel has 24 saves which is a NL record for a rookie and approaching the ML record during first half- but us Braves fans know hes been anything but lights out- Hes blown 5 saves and he will raise your blood pressure pitching in the 9th inning but most nights he gets the job done. I hope to see him cut down the walks and not put so much pressure on himself in the 9th. Though with that being said seeing that he leads all of baseball in strikouts among relievers and is tied for most saves I do think he should be on the all star team. Im glad that someone besides Mccann are being recognized for the good seasons there having. Its crazy to think even though our offense has been horrible the Braves have the second best record in baseball.

FRUSTRATION WITH BRAVES OFFENSE

 What to do what to do.. AS the season nears the midway point the frustration among braves fans is growing. Alot of it stems from the horrible season that Uggla is having. Jason Heyward has also had a very very dissappointing season. Nate Mcclouth has not bounced back like we all were hoping he would in spring training. Jordan Schafer has show glimpes of being good but lets face it he has a .220 average and doesnt seem yet ready to take over the everyday leadoff role. The braves dont have a steady leadoff man. they rely too much on the home runs and arent getting enough of them. They dont hit clutch in big situations. They strike out to much and they dont walk enough. Larry Parrish doesnt seem to be the guy to coach this group of hitters. This offense has so many issues. I do believe if somehow Uggla and Heyward could step it up and start producing the Braves could become a serious threat.

 I thought the Braves offense was bad last year but this seasons is worse. The braves just dont know how to manufacture runs. When will they start running and stealing bases They need a true leadoff hitter who can cause problems on the basepaths. They need speed.  This team has so much talent in the pitching department but our offense is just mediocore at best. They score 6 runs one night and then get shut out the next night. This is not how a team with world series hopes is suppost to be  playing. Some times I question  there intensity and desire to win.  Its got to be driving the pitchers nuts who so often go out there and pitch there butts off only to get a no decison or lose in a close game. The offense has not carried this team at all during any stretch of the season- its been the pitching since day one. With there current chemistry the braves will not make the playoffs I just cant see it happening because this offense is so weak. I hope that after the all star break UGGLA  gets his head on straight and starts becoming the player we gave him a 5 year deal to be. Json heyward is really starting to look like hes a bit overrated. Pitchers have adapted to him but hes not making the same changes. This season has not gone nearly as well as I expected it to be but when I look up and see that we  are 9 games over .500 and our the wild card leader right now it gives me  hope to think of our potential if the offense ever takes off. As the season goes on though how realisitc that  its actually going to happen?

ERIC HINSKES WORTH TO THE BRAVES

 How valuable has Eric Hinske been to the Braves? HE had so many huge hits for the bRaves last year- he was the main catalyst in there great run in May last year. He hit atleast 3 big home runs down the stretch of the playoff run last year including one vs Fla that won the game. the last week of the season (a game which  I attended) and his 2 run pinch hit home run in game 3 of the playoffs last year in my eyes  cemented his place in atlanta braves playoff history to me. He has a knack for getting the big hits. There is not one more valuable guy in baseball  off the bench then Eric Hinske- the guy is a stud.

 Think about his hits this year. He had a huge home  run on the Road in L.A, on the road in philly, and on the road in New york friday night.. 6 home runs this year and most are off the bench in pressure big game situations. This guy comes through time and again. I dont think people give Frank Wren enough credit for signing Hinske last year. He not only is a great player but  hes an even better clubhouse guy. A goofy guy who keeps the locker room loose and still commands the respect  of his teammates. He is loved in the clubhouse.  Its sad to think where this 2011 Braves team would be had he signed with the Brewers like he came so close to doing so in the off season.He loved the friendships and chemistry he has developed the last 1.5 years in the Braves organization and the production and value hes given to the braves has been almost inmeasureable. I cant say enough good things about him- I just hope that Frank Wren is keeping track and ready to give Hinske the multi year deal he is seeking- Hes such a valuable asset to a contending team. A  pure winner and clutch as you can get.

UPS AND DOWN

  The Braves have shown flashes of being the elite team many people thought they would be in the NL  this year but they will follow those stretches with a 4-5 game lousy losing streak. They are so inconsistant. Plenty blame can be placed around the team. Dan Uggla defiently is a major one to blame.  .180 average and .128 with runners in scoring position isnt getting it done. Hes on a new team and playing on contender for first time in his life. Im sure hes putting added pressure on himself. Whatever he is doing he needs to stop. He has become such an automatic out. Anytime he hits a home run it seems to be a solo shot and hes always comin up in big situations with runners on base and not getting the job done. The Braves as a whole strike out way too much, they dont walk enough and they cant manufacture runs because they dont have speed,

Jason Heywards second season thus far has been big dissappointment, Nate Mcclouth has been about as good(bad) as most Braves fans expected.Freddie  Freeman is having a normal rookie season- filled with highs and lows. Alex Gonzalez defense is great but hes not better then a .250 hitter..  I will say this though honestly Chipper Jones has been  a suprise to me- I didnt think he would stay healthy and I didnt think he would produce so I will give him props on that.

 Where would this team be without Jair Jurrjens and Eric Hinkse?? Those guys have made such huge contributions.I  wonder when  everyone else is going to step up and start earning there paycheck. Entering the last week in May the Atlanta Braves are way to inconsistant. They  seem to get momentum then turn around and fumble it. The starters are keeping them in most of the ball games, the bullpen has  been very good but the offense just sucks. How long will Frank Wren wait to fix this dismal offense? I still have faith In Dan Uggla but patience is running thin among most braves fans with him.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE BAD POINTS FOR BRAVES

Thus far the Braves have been  very inconsistant. They will go a week where they look like an elite team and then lose 4 of 5 to bottom level teams. This cant keep happening if we want to hang with Philly this year. The offense has really underachieved so far- Uggla has  been horrible. Heyward has been a dissappointment. Prado, Mccann and Eric Hinske are the ones who have actually hit like they want to win. Frank Wren needs to address the leadoff position. I love Prado- but he isnt a leadoff hitter. I think he would be a great #2 hitter but not leadoff. This is where the trade for Mcclouth has hurt so much. If Nate actually was good we could put him atop lineup and ride him but hes not done well. We need speed atop the lineup and  start hitting home runs with men on. Too many solo home runs this year. Prado seems to ground into a double play atleast 2 times a week. I wonder how the starting pitchers feel about the pathetic offense the Braves have displayed so far.. Things need to change and soon.

 I like Kimbrel but he needs to get it together. Is it a sin to ask for a 1-2-3 9th inning save? He walks alot of guys and sometimes makes you question is he the guy. I do believe he is. I try to tell myself " hes a rookie give him some time" The Braves are  being very patient with him I think more so from a mental aspect. They want to show Kimbrel they have confidence in  him  and yanking his job away could really hurt his mindset being that hes such a young player. I hope he will start coming through and reward the Braves for there patience and faith in him.

 I do not like Alex Gonzalez. I admire his defense but he is a true slacker. How many times has he hit a long ball and admired it and it not been gone? He acts like a baby throwing tantrums anytime he gets out with men on base. Most importantly HE DOESNT HUSTLE. I wonder has Freddi pulled him aside and talked to him about this. He gets paid millions of dollars to play this game and he plays for a good team- the least he could do is run when he hits the ball. It sickens me to see him slack off so much- I though the Braves gave up on Yunel Escobar too early. I just dont like Agon. I wish his hustle was as good as his defense. But its not- I wonder are the Braves as concerned about his slacking as Iam.. Its time somebody steps to him and tells him to HUSTLE!

 WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK ABOUT THIS SEASON SO FAR?

BULLPEN BLUES & HINSKE

The last couple weeks Craig Kimbrel has struggled as our closer. Iam not suprised at all by this given the fact he is a rookie. But it has got to stop. The players need to have confidence in the 9th inning when Kimbrel comes in hes going to shut the door. I wonder if any of his teammates are having second thoughts yet.. This makes me miss Billy Wagner from 2010. I like Kimbrel and I think he will be good but he has to getpast this rough patch and get back to closing out games on regular basis. I think he has great stuff just cant waver in his confidence in himself. Closing is hard for a Veteran in this league. Let alone a rookie.. I Pray that he will get it together. Id have nightmares of Kimbrel blowing a lead for us down the stretch in September.

The Braves really miss Peter Moylan. Hes so verstile and well known for the ground ball double play. Not having him as an option is a big loss. Moyal, Venter, Kimbrel in the 7-9 innings really sounded good before Kimbrel ineffictiveness and Moylans injury. I hope Peter can recover and be back in time by September for the stretch run..

How valuable is Eric Hinske? the guy is insane. Hes so clutch.Huge hit after huge hit off the bench, home run after home run. He was vital for the Braves clubhouse and production of the bench in 2010. His home run in game 3 of the playoffs last year was one of the biggest hits in Braves postseason history. It was a great move fot the Braves to bring him back. He is on fire right now. Hes weak defensively so thats why he isnt a starter but theres not a guy Id rather have pinch hitting on my team then Hinske. Hes a great teammate and always prepared and ready for his number is called to pinch hit. It looks like its going to be another clutch, awesome year for Hinske again in 2011.